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The LYCRA Company Announces Strategic Partnership on Renewable LYCRA® Fiber

Business

The LYCRA Company Announces Strategic Partnership on Renewable LYCRA® Fiber
Business

Business

The LYCRA Company Announces Strategic Partnership on Renewable LYCRA® Fiber

2026-04-02 21:03 Last Updated At:04-03 13:05

SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2026--

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in innovative and sustainable fiber solutions for the apparel and personal care industries, today announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Texhong International Group Limited (“Texhong”), one of the world’s largest suppliers of core-spun cotton textiles. Under the agreement, Texhong will exclusively partner with The LYCRA Company to bring Renewable LYCRA ® fiber made with 30 percent plant-based content* to China’s core-spun yarn sector. This collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of bio-derived spandex across the global apparel and textile industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260402505834/en/

Renewable LYCRA ® fiber made with 30 percent plant-based content is the latest achievement in The LYCRA Company’s efforts to develop more sustainable materials. Partly derived from dent corn, this new offering is expected to retain the outstanding elasticity, comfort, and durability of standard fossil-derived LYCRA ® fiber. Information from a recent Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment indicated up to a 32 percent** reduction in carbon emissions compared to fossil-derived LYCRA ® fiber.

“This strategic partnership fully underscores The LYCRA Company’s leading capabilities in sustainable fiber innovation and industrial application,” said Jason Wang, vice president of Asia at The LYCRA Company. “Renewable LYCRA ® fiber already boasts a mature foundation for commercial adoption. The partnership with Texhong will further expand its industrial scale. By working closely with value chain partners, we aim to continuously drive the widespread adoption of lower impact, innovative materials across the textile industry.”

Texhong will leverage its well-established textile value chain to develop customized core-spun yarn products using Renewable LYCRA ® fiber made with 30 percent plant-based content. These products deliver an integrated, sustainable solution from bio-derived raw materials to yarn manufacturing. Moving forward, the two companies will jointly drive collaborative innovation in bio-derived spandex materials, yarn manufacturing, and brand end-use applications.

“Texhong has long been dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of high-value-added cotton textiles and core-spun yarn products,” said Zhou Xia, chief operating officer of Texhong. “Partnering with The LYCRA Company will bring new breakthroughs in bio-based material applications and further improve product sustainability. Together, we will jointly accelerate the innovation and market penetration of bio-derived core-spun yarn solutions.”

Texhong has used LYCRA ® brand fibers for nearly two decades and has collaborated with The LYCRA Company on many technological advancements, including patented LYCRA ® dualFX ® fabric technology. The further deepening of this partnership reflects the companies’ shared commitment to technological progress, operational synergy, and sustainable development. It also demonstrates The LYCRA Company’s ongoing commitment to empowering the textile value chain through continuous innovation.

*30 percent renewable content to be confirmed via third-party testing.

** Comparative Life Cycle Assessment: LYCRA ® fiber with Bio-derived PTMEG vs LYCRA ® fiber with Fossil-Derived PTMEG, Ramboll, 2026.

About The LYCRA Company

The LYCRA Company is a leading global fiber and technology solutions provider to the apparel and personal care industries, committed to offering sustainable products made with renewable, pre- and post-consumer recycled ingredients that reduce waste and help set the stage for circularity. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, United States, it owns the LYCRA ®, LYCRA HyFit ®, LYCRA ® T400 ®, COOLMAX ®, THERMOLITE ®, ELASPAN ®, SUPPLEX ®, and TACTEL ® brands. The LYCRA Company adds value to its customers’ products by offering unique innovations that meet the consumer’s need for comfort and lasting performance. Learn more at thelycracompany.com.

LYCRA ® is a trademark of The LYCRA Company.

About Texhong International Group Limited

Texhong International Group Limited, founded in 1997, is one of the world’s leading suppliers of core-spun cotton textiles, specializing in the manufacturing and sales of high value-added fashionable cotton textiles. The Group is currently ranked among the top three most competitive enterprises in China’s cotton textile industry, is listed among China's Top 500 Enterprises, and is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Guided by its core values of “Revering Heaven, Loving People, Benefiting Self and Others”, the Group is committed to becoming a happiness-driven enterprise characterized by continuous learning and growth, while striving to create a better and more inspiring life through innovation.

The LYCRA Company announced a strategic partnership with Texhong International Group for renewable LYCRA® fiber. Pictured at the signing ceremony held in Shanghai (left to right): Jason Wang, Vice President, Asia, The LYCRA Company, and Zhou Xia, Chief Operating Officer of Texhong International Group.

The LYCRA Company announced a strategic partnership with Texhong International Group for renewable LYCRA® fiber. Pictured at the signing ceremony held in Shanghai (left to right): Jason Wang, Vice President, Asia, The LYCRA Company, and Zhou Xia, Chief Operating Officer of Texhong International Group.

PHOENIX (AP) — Madison Booker has led Texas' offense all season, so it was little surprise that she hit a jumper less than a minute into the game to give the Longhorns an early two-point lead.

It was the last shot she would make for more than three quarters.

The AP All-America forward missed her next 17 attempts from the field as the Longhorns fell to UCLA 51-44 on Friday night in the national semifinals of the women's Final Four.

Booker recovered somewhat in the final minutes as the Longhorns made a frantic push, contributing a pair of baskets to help cut the deficit to 47-44 with less than 30 seconds remaining. The rally ended when Booker was stuffed by UCLA's 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts on a driving layup with 20 seconds remaining.

After the game, Booker was at a loss to explain why she struggled.

“It did surprise me when I couldn’t get out of my funk because every shot I put up it felt like it was going to be money," Booker said. “I wish a few more fell in, not just for me but for my teammates, too.”

Trailing 49-44 in the final seconds, Booker slipped and fell to the ground while trying to make a play, ending a night to forget. She finished 3 of 23 from the field, missing all four of her 3-point attempts, and had six points. She came into the game averaging more than 19 points per game on 52.3% shooting.

UCLA guard Gianna Kneepkens played with Booker on Team USA and said she's “an incredible player." She praised her Bruins teammates for doing a good job defensively.

“She can hit those,” Kneepkens said of Booker. “I think we kind of pushed her out a little bit farther and made those very difficult for her.”

It's the second straight year Booker's season has ended with a disappointing game. She had just 11 points and one rebound while fighting foul trouble in a 74-57 loss to South Carolina in last year's national semifinals.

The loss wasn't all Booker's fault as the Longhorns struggled offensively the entire night. Texas shot just 30.8% from the field and only one player — Kyla Oldacre — finished in double figures with 11 points.

“I actually have no idea,” she said about the team's offensive problems. “Lauren Betts — she’s 6-7. I think her length bothered (us) a little.”

Texas was one of the hottest teams in the country coming into the Final Four, riding a 12-game winning streak into Friday’s game. During that stretch, the Longhorns beat fellow Final Four participant South Carolina by 17 points in the SEC Tournament championship and crushed Michigan 77-41 in the Elite Eight.

It's another disappointment for Texas coach Vic Schaefer, who was trying to lead the Longhorns to their second national title and first since 1986. Schaefer has personally coached in four Final Fours — two with Mississippi State and two with Texas — but hasn't been able to take home a championship.

Schaefer said the Longhorns had too many moments where they did things that were out of character.

“Sometimes in this moment things happen," Schaefer said. "We came out of a timeout on two different occasions and people were in the wrong place. I’ll wear the responsibility on that — obviously I didn’t convey it right in the huddle.”

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) reacts after Texas lost to UCLA in a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) reacts after Texas lost to UCLA in a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) scramble for the ball during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) scramble for the ball during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and Texas guard Ashton Judd (21) celebrate against UCLA during the second half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and Texas guard Ashton Judd (21) celebrate against UCLA during the second half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) scramble for the ball during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) and UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) scramble for the ball during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives against Texas forward Madison Booker (35) during the first half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) drives against Texas forward Madison Booker (35) during the first half of a woman's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) drives against UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Texas forward Madison Booker (35) drives against UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez (11) during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four, Friday, April 3, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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